Even with Petco’s fences coming in, I’m really liking what this middle-aged journeyman pitcher… *checking notes* Me to myself, “I don’t think this is the Adam Eaton, 4+ ERA pitcher.” Myself to me, “Jesus, then don’t write about the pitcher, or people will think you have no idea what you’re talking about.” Me to myself, “Chill, Myself! I know what to write and what not to– Um…Uh…” So, Adam Eaton is a Diamondbacks prospect, not the other Adam Eaton that once pitched for the Padres. That is plenty obvious. I mean, these are rookie outlook posts for 2013 fantasy baseball after all, right? *awkward laughing* Right, so here’s what I said about Adam Eaton at the end of last year, ” To give you the brief summary up front about Eaton: Imagine Pedroia in the outfield with more speed and less power. He’s got spark plug written all over him (in invisible ink, so not to creep anyone out). At five foot-eight soaking wet, he’s not the biggest of players. (“Soaking wet” doesn’t add much to someone’s height, but it’s also not inaccurate. If you don’t believe me, measure yourself in and out of the shower.) But you can’t weigh a guy’s heart on a scale. Unless he has a baboon heart and is portrayed by Christian Slater. In the minors this year, Eaton had 44 steals and only 11 times caught. He also maintained a .375 average between Double and Triple-A, with a .456 OBP. A lot of that was due to a high BABIP, but with his speed that shouldn’t be a huge concern. Scrappy is Eaton’s middle name. The S is silent in most shallower mixed leagues. But where you need steals, he’s a good guy to get to know. Plus, at his size, getting to know him won’t cost you an arm and leg. I mean, how much could he possibly eat?!” And that’s me quoting me! So, what can we expect of Adam Eaton for 2013 fantasy baseball?

I love Adam Eaton. Getting that out of the way first (well, after all that other “first” stuff). Wil Myers is going to have a steeper price tag. Will’ll even be on shallower league radars. He probably won’t be up in April. I don’t think anyone’s drafting Adam Eaton in most mixed leagues, but he will be a huge sleeper in mixed leagues and should start the year in the majors. He’s capable of a top 50 outfielder season, i.e., value in ten team mixed leagues that carry five outfielders. Shoot, he’s actual capable of a top 30 outfielder season, but I don’t want to get people too crazy. He’s not strictly SAGNOF. He could chip in 7-10 homers over the course of a season. Krispie Young has already been shipped out of Arizona and Upton might not be too far behind. The Diamondbacks will play Eaton unless the injury he sustained at the end of last year (broken hand) bothers him still, though he should be recovered well before Spring Training (by December is the word on the street). Adam Eaton could be a cheap Austin Jackson. Call him Round Rock Jackson. In 2013, I could see a line for Eaton of 75/7/45/.270/25. Like Stallone, stay hungry because there will be more Eaton this offseason.

Grey, for nerds like me you should do a column ranking/discussing late-season call-ups who may still be minor-league-eligible in leagues, even though they’ll be in the majors come opening day. During the minor-league drafts, those guys are often over-looked/forgotten about by the other nerds in my league who only look at minor-league players. It’d put your readers (and selfishly, me) *rubbing my hands together* at an advantage…

I have been considering dropping at least one of my leagues for next year- the h2h piece of crap league that counts OBP- but all these prospects are threatening to drag me back in. Especially Eaton for that OBP league, since I could pair him and another high OBP guy and not have to worry about OBP beyond that. But goddamit I hate that league…

Yeah, the fact the Dbacks shipped out Krispie means Eaton will, barring injury or something strange, 600+ abs. He should score a lot of runs (and remember runs are down across the board and therefore more chase-worthy) . He should steal a lot of bases. He should hit for a good average. It’s funny, someone already beat me to it but Altuve of the OF was something I was going to say as well. Except he’s in a hitter’s park and he actually has someone to drive him in. I’m biased, but .290 with 30 steals and 95 runs seems very thinkable. They are gonna play him a lot. There’s no one else who can play CF well defensively to sub in for him.

Yeah, one the same page with all of that too… I try to be a bit conservative with rookie projections because all kinds of things could happen, but he could exceed my numbers and make a run for the NL ROY…

I don’t have much….Todd Frazier, JJ Putz, Kenley Jansen (and relievers are undervalued). I took over a crummy team this year, and have built a good young top 5 — Posey, Sandoval, Heyward, Bryce Harper and Gallardo (all acquired in trade). Miley is my No. 6…steep drop after that.

Slightly different topic, but the local wisdom at the moment is Justin Upton will be traded if the Dbacks can find anyone who will give them equivalent value. Texas seemed the best partner but they seem lukewarm at best.

I could see Texas becoming more active once Hamilton officially goes somewhere else… Upton in texas would be a real nice fit… Hope he doesn’t go to San Diego or Seattle, no matter how far they bring in their fences…

Word is, and I see no reason to not think this is the case, the Dbacks will only trade Upton if they get a starter at SS or 3b in return, regardless of what else is involved. Andrus seemed the reasonable target, but Texas doesn’t seem to like the idea much. But, as you say, when Hamilton is gone and Cruz finds a way to injure himself halfway thru the off season, they may well reconsider. Boston was allegedly interested, but they don’t have what Arizona wants.